Welcome back to the Smart Wealth Newsletter.

We’re Chris, Trip, and Frankie McLaughlin — a family focused on building long-term wealth through disciplined investing in both stocks and real estate. Our goal is simple: share what we’re doing in real time so others can learn alongside us.

Trip is currently a junior at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, where he continues to deepen his understanding of markets, macroeconomics, and portfolio construction. Frankie, a National Merit Finalist, will be attending Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business this Fall, and has already been actively managing his own portfolio with a strong focus on growth names and emerging technology.

This newsletter is our weekly breakdown of what’s happening in the markets, what we’re buying, and how we’re thinking about building wealth over time.

This past week delivered one of the most important sentiment shifts we’ve seen in the markets so far this year. After a stretch of volatility driven by geopolitical tension, rising oil prices, and renewed concerns about inflation and interest rates, investors were finally given a reason to step back into risk. The result was a powerful rebound into Friday, April 17, with all three major indices finishing the week higher and, more importantly, finishing strong.

At the close on Friday:

Those are not small moves — especially for indices already trading near all-time highs. The rally was broad, decisive, and fueled by a combination of macro relief and renewed investor confidence.

If you want to understand this week, you need to understand one thing: oil and geopolitics drove everything.

Earlier in the week, markets were under pressure due to escalating concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical oil chokepoints in the world. Roughly 20% of global oil supply moves through that narrow passage, meaning any disruption — or even the threat of one — can send shockwaves through global markets.

Here’s the chain reaction investors were worried about:

That was the setup.

And early in the week, that’s exactly how the market behaved — cautious, defensive, and increasingly concerned that higher oil could derail the broader rally we’ve been seeing in 2026.

Then came Friday.

News out of the region indicated that the Strait of Hormuz remained open, and more importantly, that immediate fears of a major supply disruption were easing. That single development triggered a sharp reversal across multiple markets.

This is where investors need to pay attention — because this wasn’t just a bounce, it was a repricing of risk.

Markets had been bracing for a sustained oil shock that could push inflation higher and keep the Federal Reserve in a tighter stance for longer. Instead, the easing of geopolitical pressure removed that worst-case scenario, at least for now.

And when that fear came off the table, money moved quickly back into equities.

Let’s be clear — oil wasn’t the only story.

Interest rates are still the backbone of this market.

The reason Friday’s rally was so strong is because falling oil prices directly impact inflation expectations, and inflation expectations drive bond yields. When oil dropped, yields followed — and that gave stocks room to breathe.

Why does this matter?

Because:

That’s exactly why the Nasdaq jumped 1.5%, outperforming once again.

Growth stocks — especially those tied to AI and software — are extremely sensitive to rate expectations. When the market senses that rates may not move higher from here, investors rotate right back into those names.

One of the most encouraging aspects of this week’s move was the breadth.

This wasn’t just a handful of mega-cap stocks dragging the market higher. Participation was strong across sectors:

That last point matters more than most people realize.

When small caps rally alongside large caps, it typically signals:

In other words — this rally had real legs.

Markets are driven by psychology just as much as fundamentals.

Earlier in the week, investors were asking:

By Friday, those questions had shifted to:

That shift — from fear to cautious optimism — is what fueled the rally.

And it happened fast.

Here’s the honest takeaway — and I’m not going to sugarcoat it.

This market is still fragile, but it is also incredibly resilient.

Every time a major macro fear shows up:

The market sells off… and then looks for any reason to bounce.

That tells you something important:

👉 There is still a lot of money on the sidelines waiting to buy dips.

Friday’s move confirmed that.

Going forward, three things matter most:

If oil stabilizes, markets can continue higher.
If oil spikes again, expect volatility to return quickly.

The 10-year yield is still one of the most important indicators.
If it stays contained, growth stocks remain in favor.

Any shift in messaging around rate cuts (or lack thereof) will move markets fast.

The Dow closing at 49,447.43, the S&P 500 at 7,126.06, and the Nasdaq at 24,468.48 tells you everything you need to know about how investors reacted to this week’s developments.

This wasn’t just a bounce — it was a confidence-driven rally.

And just like that, the market reminded everyone:

👉 It still wants to go higher — as long as the macro environment cooperates.

This week’s spotlight is on one of the most debated, misunderstood, and — in our view — most strategically positioned companies in the market today: Palantir Technologies (PLTR).

If you’ve followed this newsletter, you know we don’t chase hype. We look for businesses that sit at the center of long-term structural trends — and Palantir is exactly that.

Let’s start with where we stand.

Chris initiated another position in Palantir (PLTR) this week and is already up over 4%. That kind of early move isn’t something we rely on, but it does reinforce the idea that timing matters — especially when you’re stepping into a name that has recently pulled back.

At the same time, Frankie has been holding PLTR, and his significant gains early on have been wiped out.

Now here’s where discipline separates investors from traders:

Frankie isn’t panicking. He isn’t selling. In fact, he continues to believe in the long-term story.

That’s important — because stocks like Palantir test conviction.

Let’s not ignore reality.

PLTR has pulled back recently, and there are real reasons behind it:

This is not a “safe” stock in the traditional sense. It’s volatile, sentiment-driven, and heavily scrutinized.

But here’s the truth most investors miss:

👉 Volatility in high-quality growth names often creates the best opportunities.

Palantir isn’t just another software company.

It operates at the intersection of:

Its core platforms — Gotham (government) and Foundry (commercial) — are deeply embedded into mission-critical operations.

We’re talking about software that helps:

This is not optional software.

This is infrastructure.

There’s a lot of noise around AI right now.

Everyone claims to be an “AI company.”

Palantir is different.

They are not just building models — they are deploying AI into real-world environments.

That distinction matters.

Most companies struggle with:

Palantir solves those problems.

That’s why their platform is sticky.

Once a client is onboarded, they don’t leave.

Let’s lay it out clearly.

AI adoption is still in the early innings. Palantir is positioned to benefit from both government demand and commercial expansion.

Once embedded, Palantir becomes critical infrastructure. That creates long-term revenue stability.

Historically government-heavy, Palantir is now gaining traction with private enterprises — a major growth driver.

The company has moved into consistent profitability, which changes how institutional investors view it.

If you ignore the risks, you’re not investing — you’re gambling.

PLTR trades at a premium. That means expectations are high.

Large contracts can create uneven growth patterns.

This stock moves on narrative as much as fundamentals.

Here’s where we land — and we’re being very intentional about this.

Chris: BUY
Trip: BUY
Frankie: HOLD / BUY ON WEAKNESS

We are not buying because it’s going up.

We are buying because:

And importantly — the recent pullback gives us a better entry point.

Stocks like PLTR separate short-term thinkers from long-term investors.

Frankie being down on the position right now? That’s normal.

Every serious investor has positions that go red temporarily.

The question is:

👉 Has the thesis changed?

Right now — we don’t believe it has.

For PLTR to move higher from here, we’re watching:

If those continue, the market will reward the stock over time.

Palantir (PLTR) is not a low-risk stock.

It is a high-conviction, long-term growth investment tied directly to the expansion of AI and data-driven decision making across the global economy.

👉 We are not chasing — we are positioning.

And if the company continues to execute, this is exactly the kind of name that can compound over time.

If you’re serious about building wealth through real estate, short-term rentals — specifically Airbnb — can be one of the most powerful tools available. But here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear:

👉 Owning an Airbnb does not make you money. Operating it well does.

There is a massive difference between someone who “lists a property” and someone who runs a high-performing short-term rental business.

And that difference shows up in cash flow, occupancy, and long-term scalability.

Airbnb’s Superhost designation is not just a badge — it’s an algorithm advantage.

To qualify, you need:

But here’s what really matters:

👉 Superhosts get more visibility → more bookings → higher pricing power.

It becomes a flywheel.

More bookings → more reviews → higher ranking → more bookings.

If you’re not aiming for Superhost, you’re leaving money on the table.

Your listing lives or dies in 3 seconds.

That’s how long it takes a guest to decide whether to click.

So let’s be blunt:

You should invest in:

Think like a hotel brand — not a landlord.

Because your competition isn’t other rentals.

👉 Your competition is the Hilton down the street.

Most new hosts make one critical mistake:

They price emotionally instead of strategically.

Here’s how you should think about it:

But here’s the key insight:

👉 Occupancy matters more than perfection.

A property sitting empty at $300/night makes $0.

A property booked at $220/night builds momentum, reviews, and ranking.

Use dynamic pricing tools if you want to scale this properly — but even manually adjusting based on demand puts you ahead of most hosts.

Airbnb is not passive income.

It is a customer service business.

Superhosts dominate because they:

Simple systems make this easy:

Here’s the mindset shift:

👉 Every inquiry is a lead. Treat it like one.

Nothing drives bookings more than reviews.

And here’s the part most people miss:

👉 You don’t get 5-star reviews by being “good enough.”

You get them by being predictably excellent.

That means:

And one simple tactic that works extremely well:

👉 Tell guests exactly what to expect before they arrive.

When expectations are clear, reviews go up.

If you want to charge more, you need to deliver more.

Top-performing Airbnbs focus on small details:

These aren’t expensive upgrades — but they dramatically impact guest experience.

And better experience = better reviews = more bookings.

If you’re doing everything manually, you don’t own a business — you own a job.

To scale, you need systems:

Because once one property works, the goal is simple:

👉 Repeat the model.

That’s how you go from one Airbnb to a portfolio.

Everyone says “location, location, location” — and that’s true.

But for Airbnb, it’s more nuanced.

Winning properties are:

But here’s the real edge:

👉 Underserved locations with high demand and low competition.

That’s where margins expand.

This is where most people fail.

They treat Airbnb like a side hustle.

The ones who win treat it like:

And that mindset changes everything.

Airbnb is not easy money — but it is scalable money.

If you:

You create something powerful:

👉 A repeatable cash-flow machine.

And over time, that cash flow can be reinvested into more properties — accelerating your path to financial freedom.

Chris’s Morgan Stanley portfolio continues to reflect a disciplined, long-term approach centered around high-quality companies with durable competitive advantages and exposure to major secular trends like artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and global consumption.

Alphabet (GOOG) closed at $339.40, up +97.63%. Analysts maintain a Buy rating with upside driven by AI integration and digital advertising growth. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris owns Alphabet because of its dominance in search and expanding AI ecosystem. With strong contributions from YouTube and Cloud, it remains one of the most powerful platforms globally.

Amazon (AMZN) closed at $250.56, up +20.45%. The stock carries a Strong Buy consensus driven by AWS growth and improving margins. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris owns Amazon for its unmatched scale in e-commerce and cloud computing. As efficiency improves, Amazon continues to evolve into a highly profitable growth business.

Apple (AAPL) closed at $270.23, up +80.24%. Analysts rate it a Moderate Buy, supported by its ecosystem and services growth. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris owns Apple due to its loyal customer base and recurring revenue model. Its ability to monetize its ecosystem continues to drive long-term stability.

Costco (COST) closed at $999.89, up +112.28%. The stock holds a Buy rating given strong membership growth and pricing power. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris owns Costco for its best-in-class retail model built on loyalty and scale. Its consistency across economic cycles makes it a standout operator.

Deere (DE) closed at $590.46, up +68.42%. Analysts maintain a Buy rating tied to long-term agricultural demand. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris owns Deere as a play on global food demand and precision agriculture technology. Its innovation in automation positions it well for the future.

GE Aerospace (GE) closed at $304.13, up +208.45%. The stock carries a Buy rating driven by aerospace demand. Chris Rating: Strong Buy. Chris owns GE Aerospace due to its exposure to global air travel recovery. The company’s focused business model continues to drive strong execution.

GE Vernova (GEV) closed at $1,002.75, up +881.22%. Analysts rate it a Strong Buy given energy infrastructure demand. Chris Rating: Strong Buy. Chris owns GE Vernova as a core long-term position tied to electrification and AI-driven energy demand. It sits at the center of one of the most powerful trends in the market.

Kroger (KR) closed at $68.19, up +38.95%. The stock holds a Hold/Buy rating. Chris Rating: Hold. Chris owns Kroger as a defensive position that provides stability. Its consistent cash flow helps balance more volatile growth names.

Meta (META) closed at $688.55, up +18.77%. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating driven by advertising and AI growth. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris owns Meta for its dominance in digital advertising and improving efficiency. Its AI investments continue to drive engagement and margins.

Microsoft (MSFT) closed at $422.79, up +842.03%. The stock carries a Strong Buy rating given its leadership in cloud and AI. Chris Rating: Strong Buy. Chris owns Microsoft as a cornerstone technology position. Its integration of AI across enterprise software continues to drive long-term growth.

Palantir (PLTR) closed at $146.39, up +4.42%. Analysts rate it a Buy, though it remains debated. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris recently initiated a position in Palantir due to its leadership in AI and data infrastructure. He believes long-term adoption will drive significant upside.

Procter & Gamble (PG) closed at $146.93, up +80.35%. The stock holds a Buy/Hold rating. Chris Rating: Hold. Chris owns P&G as a defensive, income-generating position. Its global brands and steady demand provide balance.

This account blends income, financials, and energy exposure with select growth holdings, creating a more balanced allocation alongside Chris’s core portfolio.

Amazon (AMZN) closed at $250.56, up +120.54%. Analysts rate it a Strong Buy. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris holds Amazon here for its long-term compounding potential. AWS and retail efficiency continue to drive growth.

American Express (AXP) closed at $331.69, up +99.00%. The stock carries a Buy rating. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris owns AXP for its premium customer base and strong brand. It delivers consistent performance across cycles.

Kinder Morgan (KMI) closed at $32.02, up +114.70%. Analysts rate it Hold/Buy. Chris Rating: Hold. Chris owns KMI for its dividend and steady infrastructure cash flows. It provides stability within the portfolio.

Verizon (VZ) closed at $46.55, down -7.72%. The stock carries a Hold rating. Chris Rating: Hold. Chris owns Verizon for income and defensive positioning. While growth is limited, the dividend remains attractive.

Exxon Mobil (XOM) closed at $146.44, up +74.52%. Analysts rate it a Buy. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris owns Exxon as an energy hedge tied to global demand and geopolitical dynamics. Strong cash flow supports long-term returns.

This account focuses heavily on AI and technology leaders, emphasizing long-term growth.

Apple (AAPL) closed at $270.23, up +149.10%. Analysts rate it Moderate Buy. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris owns Apple for its ecosystem and recurring revenue model. Its consistency makes it a foundational holding.

NVIDIA (NVDA) closed at $201.68, up +104.27%. The stock holds a Strong Buy rating. Chris Rating: Strong Buy. Chris owns NVIDIA as the backbone of the AI revolution. Continued demand for GPUs supports long-term growth.

Tesla (TSLA) closed at $400.62, up +25.97%. Analysts rate it Moderate Buy. Chris Rating: Strong Buy. Chris owns Tesla as a long-term bet on EVs, AI, and energy. Its innovation potential continues to drive conviction.

Palantir (PLTR) closed at $146.39, down -3.91%. Analysts rate it a Buy. Chris Rating: Buy. Chris continues to build his position in Palantir due to its leadership in AI and data analytics. Despite volatility, he sees significant long-term upside.

Trip’s portfolio blends high-growth technology, speculative names, and commodities with core large-cap exposure.

Plug Power (PLUG) closed at $2.78, up +1.46%. Trip Rating: Hold. Trip owns PLUG as a speculative hydrogen play. While risky, it offers potential upside if adoption increases.

Lightwave Logic (LWLG) closed at $12.54, up +40.95%. Trip Rating: Buy. Trip sees strong potential in photonics technology. If commercialization succeeds, upside could be significant.

Sidus Space (SIDU) closed at $5.35, up +38.17%. Trip Rating: Buy. Trip owns SIDU as a high-risk space play. Growth in satellite demand supports long-term potential.

GE Vernova (GEV) closed at $1,002.75, up +900.32%. Trip Rating: Strong Buy. Trip views GEV as a core long-term winner tied to energy demand and AI infrastructure.

Alphabet (GOOGL) closed at $341.68, up +23.47%. Trip Rating: Buy. Alphabet provides stability with strong AI growth. It remains a core holding.

NVIDIA (NVDA) closed at $201.68, up +13.93%. Trip Rating: Strong Buy. NVIDIA anchors his AI exposure. Continued demand supports growth.

Palantir (PLTR) closed at $146.39, up +12.59%. Trip Rating: Buy. Trip owns PLTR for its AI and data platform strength. Long-term adoption remains the key driver.

Amazon (AMZN) closed at $250.56, up +20.45%. Trip Rating: Buy. Amazon remains a core growth holding. Efficiency gains support upside.

Gold (IAU) closed at $91.34, up +1.66%. Trip Rating: Hold. Gold provides a hedge against volatility. It balances the portfolio.

Silver (SLV) closed at $73.63, up +6.56%. Trip Rating: Buy. Silver offers both industrial and monetary upside. It complements gold exposure.

BitMine (BMNR) closed at $22.95, down -14.61%. Trip Rating: Hold. Trip owns BMNR as a speculative crypto infrastructure play. Volatility is expected.

Frankie’s portfolio emphasizes AI leaders alongside high-upside emerging technology positions, reflecting both conviction and willingness to take calculated risk.

Navitas Semiconductor (NVTS) closed at $12.32, up +65.59%. Frankie Rating: Buy. Frankie owns NVTS for its role in next-gen power semiconductors. Growing demand in EVs and data centers supports long-term upside.

GE Vernova (GEV) closed at $1,002.75, up +900.32%. Frankie Rating: Strong Buy. GEV is a core position tied to electrification and AI energy demand. It represents one of the strongest themes in the portfolio.

Nebius (NBIS) closed at $157.14, up +85.37%. Frankie Rating: Buy. Frankie owns NBIS as a high-growth technology play. He sees strong long-term potential despite volatility.

Microsoft (MSFT) closed at $422.79, up +278.10%. Frankie Rating: Strong Buy. Microsoft anchors his AI exposure. Its dominance in enterprise software drives consistent growth.

Amazon (AMZN) closed at $250.56, up +20.45%. Frankie Rating: Buy. Amazon provides scale and long-term growth. AWS continues to drive value.

Tesla (TSLA) closed at $400.62, up +34.71%. Frankie Rating: Buy. Tesla offers exposure to EVs and AI-driven autonomy. Innovation remains the key driver.

Palantir (PLTR) closed at $146.39, up +1.75%. Frankie Rating: Buy. Frankie continues to hold PLTR with conviction. Despite volatility, he believes in the long-term AI opportunity.

Aurora Innovation (AUR) closed at $5.27, up +35.13%. Frankie Rating: Buy. AUR represents a high-risk autonomous driving play. The upside could be significant if adoption accelerates.

Meta (META) closed at $688.55, up +19.15%. Frankie Rating: Buy. Meta’s dominance in advertising and AI makes it a strong long-term holding. Efficiency improvements support growth.

This week was a powerful reminder of how quickly markets can shift when key macro pressures begin to ease. In Part 1, we saw how the easing of tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the sharp pullback in oil prices helped fuel a strong rebound across the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, restoring confidence and bringing buyers back into the market. It reinforced an important point — this market remains highly sensitive to interest rates and geopolitical developments, but it also remains resilient when those pressures subside.

In Part 2, we stepped away from the stock market and focused on real estate, specifically how to build a successful Airbnb business. The takeaway is simple but important: owning property is not enough — execution is everything. The operators who treat Airbnb like a business, focus on customer experience, and build repeatable systems are the ones who create consistent, scalable cash flow over time.

And in Part 3, across all of our portfolios, a clear theme continues to emerge. While each of us — Chris, Trip, and Frankie — approaches investing with slightly different strategies, we are all aligned around long-term trends that we believe will shape the future. Artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure, electrification, and global technology leadership remain at the core of how we are positioned.

Chris continues to focus on high-quality, long-term compounders, building wealth steadily through disciplined investing. Trip is leaning more aggressively into growth and emerging opportunities, balancing higher risk with meaningful upside potential. Frankie is combining AI leaders with high-upside technology names, showing both conviction and a willingness to stay patient through volatility.

Different strategies — but one shared goal:

👉 Building long-term wealth through smart, consistent investing in both stocks and real estate.

We’ll continue to share exactly what we’re doing each week — wins, losses, and everything in between — because the real value is not just in the outcomes, but in the process.

This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or legal advice. We are not financial advisors, and all opinions expressed are our own. Investing in stocks, real estate, or any other asset involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.